{"id":4061,"date":"2020-03-31T11:34:46","date_gmt":"2020-03-31T18:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.poly.com\/?p=4061"},"modified":"2020-03-31T11:34:46","modified_gmt":"2020-03-31T18:34:46","slug":"virtual-collaborations-role-during-coronavirus-and-beyond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.poly.com\/virtual-collaborations-role-during-coronavirus-and-beyond\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual Collaboration\u2019s Essential Role During Coronavirus and Beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Coronavirus is sure to have a lasting impact. When it comes to how we work, educate, govern and live\u2014there\u2019s no going back to \u201cbusiness as usual.\u201d <\/em>As people grow accustomed to work-from-home practices and remote interactions, it will be hard to put the genie back in the bottle. Financial advisor and commentator Josh Brown said it best: \u201cThe nature of work has been a secular trend in hiding all this time. It just took the coronavirus for everyone to realize it.\u201d Bottom line, the coronavirus has been a catalyst for massive adoption of remote working.<\/p>\n

The coronavirus has also been a great reminder that as humans our well-being is connected. As we all hunker down, we\u2019re realizing how much we need and value one another. Technology that makes that connection possible is more important than ever.<\/p>\n

Yes, it\u2019s vital that leaders get through the crisis. But\u00a0they can also use this time as an impetus for innovation.\u00a0The Great Plague forced Isaac Newton to leave Trinity College and \u201cwork from home.\u201d That year produced some of his greatest scientific breakthroughs. It\u2019s a great reminder to fight the urge to simply survive. Innovators choose to thrive.<\/p>\n

At Poly, we have a unique view into the world\u2019s dramatic move to remote working. We provide some of the key elements that make remote working possible, so we see organizations around the world stepping up to not only navigate through the coronavirus but to consider what it will mean for how they operate in the future.<\/p>\n

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Keep employees productive with high quality remote experiences<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If there were ever a time to think outside the building<\/em>, it\u2019s now. Give employees the tools they need to work smoothly from home. Companies are flocking to Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack and other cloud-based tools to empower their employees to be productive remotely. They are also equipping them with the cameras, headsets and laptops to make virtual meetings as lifelike as possible.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many are going to great lengths to foster interactions that allow for human connection. They recognize the role of facial expressions and body language\u2014something that email simply can\u2019t deliver. Organizations large and small are offering guidance and encouragement on everything from online meeting protocols to physical space and lighting tips to virtual coffee breaks and happy hours.<\/p>\n

Customers are also using video communication to keep employees informed, motivated and secure. Leaders understand that their employees need to see and hear from them right now, and not just via email. High quality virtual interactions\u2014be they one-on-one sessions or virtual townhalls\u2014allow for greater presence and transparency, both of which are key to allaying fears and inspiring confidence in the future.<\/p>\n

Identify activities where virtual collaboration can be applied<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Remote collaboration isn\u2019t just for employee interactions. We have many healthcare customers using virtual sessions to meet with patients to support social distancing measures. We see country leaders using video conferencing to connect with each other to make critical decisions for their constituents. We have business customers leaning into these capabilities to create virtual customer briefing centers, host conferences in virtual settings and provide customer support. And just as learning institutions are moving students to virtual settings, organizations are educating employees without gathering them together in one place.<\/p>\n

Consider your new place in the world, post coronavirus<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s a difficult period and resources are limited, but carve out time to envision your organization\u2019s future, so you can inspire your teams to get there. What are you learning during this time of retrenching that you might apply to the future? Make this moment matter\u2014it can be a driver for creativity and innovation.<\/p>\n